Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, is gearing up to prepare and distribute 12,000 holiday meals through its annual St. Augustine Hunger Center Thanksgiving meals campaign. Free holiday meals will be provided by Catholic Charities to the community both on-site in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood and through free home delivery across Greater Cleveland by volunteers.
“One in seven people across Northeast Ohio is food insecure,” said Fredy Robles, chief program officer of Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland. “Caring for unmet needs in our communities is a top priority at Catholic Charities, and we embrace the holidays especially as important opportunities to touch the lives of the individuals and families we serve.”
Elk & Elk Co. Ltd., Barons Bus, Northern Haserot and local parishes annually contribute generous food donations and volunteerism to Catholic Charities' Thanksgiving meals campaign. The Cleveland Browns will do the same in 2024.
Community members interested in receiving free home-delivered holiday meals should register now by calling 216-377-3725 or emailing holidays@ccdocle.org. Required information includes: name, phone number, address and number of meals requested. Catholic Charities will accept meal delivery reservations until noon on Nov. 25. Delivery will take place between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 28.
Community members also are invited to visit the St. Augustine Hunger Center on Nov. 28 for a special holiday meal service. Thanksgiving meals will be provided from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. onsite at 1400 Howard Ave., Cleveland. Catholic Charities also will provide hot meals for distribution through approximately 15 community partner agencies that support individuals in need in surrounding communities.
Catholic Charities organizes hundreds of volunteers annually to assist with the Thanksgiving meal service and the delivery in the community. Those who would like to volunteer for Thanksgiving 2024 can visit ccdocle.org/holidaymeals to view and sign up for available opportunities. Registration is required. Volunteers can sign up until Nov. 25.
“Thanksgiving can be a difficult and stressful time for individuals and families who don’t know where their next meal is coming from. We are grateful for the gracious support of vital partners and volunteers who spend their holiday joining in service at the St. Augustine Hunger Center,” said Eric Milkie, director of emergency assistance services at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland.
During the 2024 holiday season, individuals and families across Northeast Ohio also can join in making a monetary gift at ccdocle.org/donate.
Learn more about Catholic Charities’ community hot meals provided year-round at sites across Cuyahoga, Lorain and Summit counties at ccdocle.org.
Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland is one of the largest comprehensive health and human services organizations in Northeast Ohio. It carries out the healing and helping mission of Jesus across the Diocese of Cleveland. Catholic Charities delivers 150 services at 60 locations to 400,000 individuals each year – providing help and creating hope for people of every race and religion throughout eight counties: Ashland, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Summit and Wayne. For more information, click here.